Passenger-car truck.



No. 657,635. Patented apt. "@1900.

.1. c. BARBER. PASSENGER cAn TRUCK.

(Application filed Sept. 14; 1899.)

J Shear-Sheet l.

mi nonlls PEYERS co, wnorouma. WASHINGTON, o c

Patented Sept. II, [900. J. C. BARBER. PASSENGER CAR TRUCK.

(Application filed Sept. 14, 1899.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(Flu Model.)

$N Y R M .Pm MUN R C. D n w a m m w o N u L w a N p Q a m r E P 5 a a QN E H Patented Sept. II, I900.

J. C. BARBER. PASSENGER CAB TRUCK.

(Application fileti Sept. 14, 1899.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

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ljtirrnn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN CHILD BARBER, OF ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA.

PASSENGER-CAR TRUCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 657,635, datedSeptember 11, 1900. Application filed September 14,1899. Serial No.730,403. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN CHILD BARBER, a citizen of the United States,residing at St. Paul, in the county of Ramsey and State .of Minnesota,have in vented certain new and useful Improvements inPassenger-Oar Trucks; and I do hereby declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame.

My invention relates to car-trucks, and has for its especial object toimprove the construction of fou rwheel passeuger-trucks,with a view ofsecuring increased efficiency.

To this end my invention consists of the novel devices and combinationsof devices which are hereinafter described, and defined in the claims.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein, likenotations referring to like parts throughout the several views, Figure 1is a side elevation of my improved truck. Fig. 2 is a view in verticalsection with some portions broken away, the left side being in sectionon the line 0c 09 of Fig. 1 and the right side on the line 00 as ofFig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan view with some portions broken away and othersshown in horizontal section. Fig. 4 is a view chiefly in end elevation,but partly in vertical section, through one of the jOIHHFtibOXQS andconnected parts. Fig. 5 is a view in longitudinal section through a partof one of the side frames on the line a 00 of Fig. 3 with some portionsbroken away. Fig; 6 is a detail in horizontal section through one of theside frames, approximately on the line 00 x of Fig. 1, with someportions broken away and some of the parts removed; and Fig. 7 is adetail in section, showing the relation of one of the bottom crosstie-rods to the lower chords of the side frame.

The reference-letters a, a, and 64 represent, respectivelyjthe wheels,the axles, and the journal-boxes.

The truck is composed entirely of metal. Rolled steel in commercialshapes or forms is chiefly employed.

Having regard to the side frames, thelower or bottom chord of each sideframe is made up of a pair of angle bars 1), set with their verticalflanges adjacent and their horizontal flanges facing outward or apartfrom each other. The upper or top chord of each side frame is made up ofa corresponding pair of angle-harsh, set with their vertical flangesremote from each other and their horizontal flanges facing inward ortoward each other. The angle-bars 19, forming the lower chord, arestraight throughout their entire length; but the angle-bars 11, formingthe upper chord, are pressed laterally or outward at the centralportions thereof lengthwise of the truck in opposite directions, so asto afford clearance between the same at that portion of their length forpurposes which will later appear.

The truss-bar b is a plain bar of the proper shape for the purposes hadin view. Said truss-bar b has horizontal laterally-expanded ends, whichare anchored by rivets or otherwise to the upper chord, directly overthe journal-boxes, and its lower or horizontal portion is embraced byand riveted to the anglebars I), forming the lower chord. Thishorizontal portion of the truss member 1) is of sufficient length tounderreach that portion of the lower chord which supports thebolstercarrying springs, as will later more clearly appear. The membersI) of the lower chord are reinforced at their central portions byangle-bars b, which are set with their horizontal flanges underlying thehorizontal flanges of the angle-bars b and are riveted or otherwiserigidly secured thereto, as best shown in Fig. 2. These reinforcinganglebars b are of a length somewhat greater than the horizontal portionof the truss-bar b and, in addition to adding strength, serve to buildoutward the bottom chord at the central portion thereof. The parts areso proportioned that the outer faces of the reinforcing-bars b will bein the same vertical plane with the outer faces of the members I) of theupper chord at that portion of the latters length where they are pressedoutward or laterally, as hitherto noted. Suitable spacing-blocks b areplaced between the vertical flanges of the angle-bars b and b and serveto hold the same apart at the lower edges and to resist angular strainsthereon. The said spacingblocks b are perforated or provided withsuitable thimbles for the passage of the conappear.

it sweet necting cross tie-rods c, which connect the two side frames, aswill later more fully appear. Said spacing-blocks b may therefore beheld up in place by said cross tie-rods c, which pass through the same.Pairs of end braces b", of angle form in cross section, are anchoredbelow, preferably by bolts, to the members I) of the lower chord andabove to the members I) of the upper chord. The members of the upperchord-t0 wit, the angle-bars b'are connected to the reinforcing bars 19of the lower chord by brace-panels b 22 of which parts b represents thebody of the panel, and b half-T marginal strips riveted to the plate I).These brace-plates are bolted below to the reinforcing-bars and above tothe outer faces of the angle-bars b of the top chord. Thesereinforcing-panels b b are applied both to the outer and the inner facesof the side frames, as best shown in Fig. 6, and the two sets are spacedapart from each other at the longitudinal center of the truck to afiordthe necessary clearance for the truck-bolster, as will later more fullyThese brace panels b b greatly strengthen the side frames at thatportion of the same which is subject to the direct action of the load.They are secured to the upper and lower chords by bolts rather thanrivets for convenience of removal when desired for placing the springsin position or other purposes, as will later more fully appear. Thesepanels I) b are counterbraces connecting the top and bottom chords andgreatly strengthening the side frames at those portions thereof subjectto the direct action of the load. A suitable bracket-like block b isriveted or otherwise rigidly secured to the members 12 of the top chord,and is provided with downwardly-extended flanges b suitably spaced apartto pass the bolster, and serve as the chafing and guiding surfaces forthe same, under the backward-and-forward thrusts on the truck. Thischafing-block b b is of the proper shape to afford great strength inpro: portion to mass and reinforces the side frame at the centralportions thereof and serves also as a spacing-block between the membersI) of the top chord at the central portion of their length. I

The top chords of the two side frames are connected by four crosstie-bars c, of angular.

form in cross-section, and the lower chords of the two side frames areconnected by the bottom tie-rods c, which, as shown, are three innumber. The tie-bars 0, connecting the top chords, are rigidly securedthereto by bolts or rivets, and the connections are rein forced bylap-plates, which will now be noted and treated for purposes ofreference as parts of the side frames. The outer cross tie bars 0 andthe ends of the top chords are reinforced by corner lap-plates b shownas riveted to the tie-bars and as bolted to the top chords. The centralmembers of the tiebars 0 and the top chords are reinforced by lap-platesb", which are shown as riveted to angle-bars If, as the case may be.

the said parts. The central lap-plates b are' of a length to cover thetop chord throughout the entire central portion thereof and to pointsdirectly over the inner pedestals of the journal-boxes, thereby bracingin both directions and adding great strength to this part of thetruck-frame. The joints between the central members of the crosstie-bars c and the top chords are further reinforced by verticalangle-irons b, shown as riveted to said parts.

The bottom cross tie-rods c are provided with shoulder-collars cproperly placed for abutting'against the inner members of thereinforcing angle-bars b of the bottom chords, and are screw-threaded attheir outer ends for the application of nuts 0 which draw against theouter surfaces of the brace-panels b b or the outer member of thereinforcing Longitudinal bars 0 shown as of angle form in cross section,connect the outermost and the next innermost members of the cross-barsc, and besides strengthening the frame serve as means for supportingsafety-stirrups 0 depending therefrom and embracing the truckaxle a toprevent the axle from falling on the track in case the same shouldbecome broken.

The journal-boxes a work between pedestals Z2 which are bolted orotherwise rigidly secured to the upper and lower chords of the sideframes. As shown, these pedestals 19 are of stirrup-like form, withtheir lower ends or the base of the stirrup resting on the anglebars I)of the lower chord and the uppereuds of their vertical arms bolted oneto each of theangle-bars b of the upper chord. The side flanges of thesestirrup-like pedestals 19 are connected by a cross-web for affording therequisite strength, and the cross-webs of the inner members of saidpedestals 6 are slotted or cut away near the upper end of the pedestalsto afford clearance for the upward passage of the inclined portions ofthe truss-bar b The pedestals 19 are provided with flanges 19 at theirbox-facing corners for cooperation with reversely-shaped seats orgrooves in wearing-shoes b, constructed to lit the same, as best shownin Fig. 3, and to be held thereby for taking the wear and tear in themovement of the frame relative to the journahbox.

Between the journal-boxes a and the top chords of the side frames arelocated coiled springs 10, which react between the journalboxes andspring-caps p, as best shown in Fig. 4. On the bottom chords of the twoside frames are located two sets of, twin elliptic springs f, disposedlengthwise of the side frames, and the twin members of each set, asshown, are spaced apart laterallya short distance from each other. Saidsprings f rest on suit-able bases f, which are rigidly secured to theangle-bars b of the bottom chord and are provided wit-h suitable caps fEqualizers f extend lengthwise of the side frames and rest on the twosets of springs. As shown, the equalizers extend between the twinmembers of the facing ends of the two sets of springs and are providedat their extremities with short cross-bars f formed integral therewith,which rest on the cap-plates f of the springs f. The twin members of thesets of springs may, however, be set close together and the equalizersbe constructed to embrace the said springs in case this arrangementshould be desirable for economy of space or other reason. On the saidequalizers f are mounted saddles or saddle-plates f which are of suchshape as to embrace the central portion of the equalizer, and theequalizers are of such shape as to alford a horizontal central sectionthereof for receiving the saddle f as best shown in Fig. 5. From thesaid horizontal central portion of the equalizers to the outer ends ofthe same the top surfaces thereof extend on an upward incline,therebypreventinglongitudinal motion of said saddle-plates f on theequalizers. The said saddle-plates f are shown as provided with concavesurfaces on their faces, with which cooperate, as shown, the convexsurface of a roller bearing-plate f. Otherwise stated, the rollerbearing-plate f is mounted on the saddle f for permitting a limitedtilting or rocking motion of the saddle-plates and equalizers in respectto the bottom members f of the roller bearingplates and the bolstercarried thereby. Otherwise stated, the equalizers may rock while thebolster remains horizontal. On the bearing-plates f are mounted plaincylindrical rollers f in suitable concave seats for a limited travelcrosswise of the truck. The truckbolster his provided on its outer endportions with bearing-plates it, having suitable concavebearing-surfaces resting on the cylindrical rollers f for cooperationtherewith and the corresponding surfaces of the bearing-plate f 6 topermit a limited lateral travel to the bolster h in substantially thesame manner as that illustrated in numerous of my prior patents. 'lhebolster h may be of any suitable form, and the details thereof do notrequire notice for the purposes of this case. It should be noted,however, that the bolster ends are extended outward beyond the chords ofthe side frame fora purpose which will immediately appear.

A suitable bracket-like casting is provided, with downward projectionsor legs 70, which straddle the top chord of the side frame and arebolted or otherwise rigidly secured to the bolster hon opposite sides ofthe said top chord embraced thereby. The space between the legs 70 ofthe bracket 70 is greater than the cross section of the top chord of theside frame in order to afford sufiicient clearance for the desiredlimited lateral travel of the bolster h in respect to the side frames ofthe truck. Otherwise stated, the brackets 70, carried by the bolster h,with their legs embracing the top chords of the side frames,

serve as the end stops to limit the lateral travel of the truck-bolster.The brackets 70 are also provided with box-like upper heads orprojections 70 of the proper shape to receive and hold shimming-blocks kbearingblocks 7c, and side bearing-rollers 70 Hence the brackets 76serve both as the end stops and the supports for the side bearings.

All the different parts of the truck have now been specified. It remainsto call attention to some of the special features of improvement in theresulting actions from the construction described.

It will be noted that the side frames are extremely rigid and strong;that the springs and equalizers are directly in the center line of thejournal-bearings; that the ends of the side frames project shortdistances only outward of the axles; that the load is taken on a singlecentral bolster, which is mounted not only for a limited lateral travelon rollers, as in my prior patents, but with freedom for a slightrocking motion crosswise of the truck in virtue of the fact that it isnot in anywise tied to bolster-columns or any equivalent devices; thatthe connection between the bottom bearing-plate for the rollers and thesaddle-bars permits a limited oscillating or rocking motion of theequalizers in respect to the bolster; that the elliptic springs aredisposed lengthwise of the side frames at equidistant points on oppositesides of the bolster; that the truss-bar b underreaches thebolstersupporting springs and over-reaches the journal-boxes and ispermanently and independently anchored to the top chord over thejournal-boxes and to the bottom chord throughout that portion of thesame which underlies the springs, and that the triangular removablepanels b b counterbrace and connect the upper and lower chords from thetrussed portion of the lowerchord to that portion of the upper chordwhich receives the most violent strains, thereby atfording the greateststrength at the points most needed. When it is said that the truss-baris independently anchored to the chords, it is meant that the truss-baris permanently connected to the upper and lower chords independently ofthe end braces, counterbraces, or bolster-pedestals.

It may be further noted that this truck has no bolster-columnsin theordinary accepted sense of that term. When bolster-columns are used, thebolster is usually held by guides of some sort for rightline verticalmovement in respect to the columns, and hence more or less crampingactions occur if there be any tilting action of the bolster crosswise ofthe truck, or, in other words, at angles to its colmun-guides. Ir thistruck the forward and backward thrusts are taken on the chafingsurfacesb of the combined chafing and guiding block 5 as hitherto noted.Respecting the said block if, attention is called to the fact that thesame is anchored to the top chord only of the side frame, therebythrowing the forward and backward thrusts from the bolster onto the sideframes at the points thereof having the greatest strength. Moreover, theuse of this combined chafing and guide block b anchored to the top partonly of the side frame and having vertical walls 79 which serve thefunctions named, without extending far down from the top chord, is ofspecial advantage in this truck for the reason that it affords thenecessary clearance underneath for the application and the desiredaction of the equalize s and the springs and facilitates the inspection,insertion, and removal of said parts.

From the fact that the side frames are themselves spring-cushioned onthe journal-boxes, from points near the ends of the frames, while theload from the car is taken on a single central bolster, which isspring-cushioned on the side frames, affords independent spring actionsto the side frames and the bolster. From this fact and the further factthat the bolster is carried on equalizers supported by springs onopposite sides of the center of the truck and that the bolster-bearingplates rest on saddles carried-by equalizers, which permit theequalizers to rock in the respect to the bolster, it follows that anequalizing action is secured which is of great efficiency in its effeeton the bolster and the car-body which may be carried thereby. The endsof the side frames may dropor rise on the axles without necessarilyimparting any great degree of vertical motion to the bolster. ster mayrise and fall under its load from the car without imparting any suddenor violent Vertical motion to the side frames. Otherwise and brieflystated, jars and vibrations;

whether from inequalities of the rail, shifting of the load, swing ofthe car-body, or other causes, are reduced to the minimum.

The short ends to the side frames outward of the axles is an importantimprovement for reducing the leverage from the brake-shoes on thetruck-frames, thereby greatly decreasing the tilting action which is socommonly caused from the brakes. When truck-frames project faroutwardbeyond the axles, a bucking action is produced on the truck and the carwhen the brakes are set by the pull from the wheels on the brake-shoes.This is of course something very disagreeable and undesirable inpassenger-trucks and is reduced to a minimum by the construction oftruckframe herein disclosed.

As a further detail it may be noted that the side bearings are supportedfrom points far outward on the truck-bolster, which is considered adesirable thing in modern practice.

It is well known to those familiar with the business that the servicedemanded from a passenger-truck is materially different from thatrequired of a freight-car truck. On comparing the passenger-truck hereindisclosed with any other passenger-truck now in general use, so far asknown to me, it will be Likewise the bol-= found that this truck isextremely simple in construction, while at the same time better meetingthe working requirements of the service. For example, a great number ofthe many parts ordinarily employed in the socalled swing beam orspring-plank passenger-trucks are entirely dispensed with.

Having regard to the broad features of the invention, it will beunderstood that many of the details of construction might be changedwithout departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates, is as follows:

1. Inacar-truck,thecombination with rigid side frames and a singlecentral bolster, of two sets of springs on each side frame, located oneset on each side of the bolster, on a base forming a part of the rigidside frame, and equalizers resting on said sets of springs andsupporting said central bolster, substantially as described.

2. In a car-truck,the combination with rigid side frames, of a centralbolster, two sets of springs on each side frame located one on each sideof said bolster, and equalizers resting on said sets of springs andsupporting said bolster, which equalizers are free for a limited rockingmotion with respect to said bolster, substantially as described.

3. In a cartruck, the combination with side frames spring-cushioned onthe journal-boxes, of a single, central bolster, two sets of ellipticsprings on each side frame disposed lengthwise thereof and located oneset on each side of the bolster, and equalizers disposed length wise ofthe side frames with their ends resting on said sets of springs, forsupporting said bolster, substantially as described.

4. In acar-truck, the combination with side frames spring-cushioned onthe journal-boxes,

of a single central bolster, two sets of twin elliptic springs on eachside frame, disposed lengthwise thereof and located, one set on eachside of the bolster, equalizers, for supporting said bolster, disposedlengthwise o. the side frames between the facing ends of the twinmembers of said sets of springs and having cross-bars resting on thespring-caps, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

5. In a car-truck, the combination with rigid side frames and a centralbolster, of columns or vertical guides forming part of said side framesand between which the ends of the bolster work vertically, two sets ofsprings on each side frame located one on each side of said bolster,equalizers resting on said sets of springs and supporting said bolster,which equalizers are fulcrumed for limited rocking movements below saidbolster, substantially as described.

6. In acar-truck, the combi ,.tion with side frames spring-cushioned onthe journal-boxes, of the single central bolster,two sets of springslocated we set on each side of the bolster, lengthwise of the sideframes, equalizers dis- III;

posed lengthwise of the side frames with their ends resting on said setsof springs, saddleplates resting on the equalizers, bottom rollerbearingplates resting on said saddles, bearing-plates on the bolster, rollersbetween said bottom and bolstercarried bearing-plates, with saidsaddleplates and said bottom bearing-plates constructed and related topermit a rocking motion of the equalizers in respect to the bolster,substantially as described.

7. In a car-truck, the combination with the side frames'having top andbottom chords arranged in pairs side by side, of truss-bars permanentlyanchored to the top chords, over the journal-boxes and between thebottom chords, throughout that portion which underlies thebolster-supporting springs, substantially as described.

8. In a car-truck, side frames wherein the top and bottom chords arecomposed of angle-bars, the truss-bar is independently and permanentlyanchored to the top chord over the journal-boxes and to the bottom chordthroughout that portion thereof which underlies the bolstensupportingsprings, and said upper and lower chords are also connected by endbraces and the journal-box pedestals, substantially as described.

9. In a truck, the combination with rigid side frames having top andbottom chords, of twin springs seated on the bottom chords, with themembers of the twins spaced apart laterally,and truss bars anchored attheir ends to said top chords, passed between the members of the twinsprings and connected to said bottom chords at their intermediateportions, substantially as described.

10. In a car-truck, side frames wherein the top and bottom chords areeach composed of pairs of an gle-bars, the truss-bar is independentlyand permanently anchored to the top chord over the journal-boxes and tothe bottom chord throughout that portion thereof which underlies thebolster supporting springs, the said upper and lower chords areconnected by sets of removable counterbraces on opposite sides of thebolster-space and are also connected by end braces and thejournalseparable from the bolster-columns anchored to the top portion ofthe side frame, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

13. In a car-truck, the combination with a bolster and side frameshaving top and bottom chords connected by truss bars and counterbraces,with the counterbraoes applied on opposite sides of the bolster-space,of a bracket or block independent or separable from the bolster-columnsanchored to the top chord over the bolster-space and constructed withvertical walls spaced apart to pass the bolster and serve aschafing-surfaces and guides for the .same, substantially as described.

14. In a cactruck, the combination with side frames and a bolster, ofsprings and equalizers forsupporting said bolster disposed lengthwise ofthe frames and brackets or blocks anchored to the upper portions of theside frames and provided with vertical side Walls embracing the bolsterand serving as chafing-surfaces and guides for the same, but extending ashort distance only below the top chords of the side frames, wherebyclear anoe is afforded for the parts which support the bolster,substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I a'l'fix my signature in presence of twowitnesses.

JOHN CHILI) BARBER.

Witnesses:

L. W. BARBER, KATE L. BLADE.

